[Konoha forest]
Night consumes Konoha, stars painting the sky, animals singing into the night, and in a
At Teppanyaki House, the chefs cook food live for the customers, not for theatrics, but to create a sense of familiarity with them.
The grill house was hosting a peculiar group,
Squad-0, Anko, Kurenai, Hinata, Tenten, Ino, and Hana. Sitting at the table, they watched the chef suspiciously.
Hana nudged Yugao, "It's impressive that he's not using ninjutsu." She inhales the burning spices.
Yugao, observing the man's hands concludes, "He would make an excellent swordsman."
The chef halts his flip, food balanced on the griddle turner, "I prefer dicing food rather than slicing people." He chuckles.
"Pfft–that's how it starts," Tayuya adds.
"Can we not talk about gore while eating?" Ino gags, "I already see enough atrocities at work." She sighs.
Hinata remains silent, eyes flickering at Taiju, from time to time. 'He really removed the curse marks! And helped me with my taijutsu– Taiju-kun isn't as bad as Kiba says he is...' Hinata thought to herself about her odd sensei, even if he's been putting her through hell-ish training, he's done more for her in months than her own father could since her first spar.
"Oi– chef! Have you ever used an actual blade?" Taiju asked, leaning closer to the grill.
"Sir, please be careful." The chef urges.
"Oh–this?" He looks at his arms, just acentimetres from the hot grill, heat prickling his skin in warmth and warning of potential harm.
"I can handle the heat~" He grins, canine shining under the light.
Wack.
" Oww!" He holds his nape, rubbing at the sore spot.
"Sorry about him." Kin pulls Taiju back from the grill.
"No worries..." The chef nods, clearing his throat, and he continues preparing their food.
"Hey, Taiju?" Tayuya calls.
He looks at her. "What?"
"Why do you have a bandage on your cheek?" She teases.
Everybody looks at him, studying his face as if it were makeup, a cut on his lip covered by aloe, and his left eye is blue.
Taiju feels embarrassed at the stares, chuckles," Uhmm... I...feel?" He lies.
"You're a terrible liar. " Anko points her chopsticks at him, her eyes don't have their usual mischief. She seems calm today, just listening to their conversations and adding her opinions where needed. "Nothing is embarrassing about losing a fight." She tells him.
"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I LOST?" He got up from his stool, pressing foreheads with her. "I never lose."
"Guy literally beat you." Tayuya corrects him.
"THAT WAS A WARM UP!" He barks animatedly, moving his hands around to express his disapproval at the slander to his name.
"I'm literally the strongest in Konoha."
The table lost it, women gasping and pointing at him like a heretic.
"You must be off meds." Tayuya cackles.
Kin is wiping tears from her face.
Yugao honestly looks baffled at his words.
Ino is enjoying every moment of this.
"Taiju, you can't even beat Asuma sensei." She challenged.
He froze at the name mentioned, looking at Ino like she just offended his bloodline.
"You really think that guy is stronger than me?"
"Yes~" Ino smirks, doubling down on her words. "Asuma is stronger than you."
The chef even forgot his job, noticing the burning food, he returned to his work.
"Food will be done in 5 minutes." He announces.
Taiju started growling, eyes focusing on Ino, and he turned to the chef. " A bottle of sake–actually 2."
Sweat drops appeared on the girls' faces.
"This night is far from over." Kurenai sighs, unable to stop her smile from forming.
The night swept into their laughter, moans at the taste of the food, and light teasing and drunken shenanigans.
"This is the best night ever." Hinata giggles, face flushed from the alcohol in her system.
Ino and Tenten were no better, trying to fight the influence, they just giggled abruptly.
"So this is the wonder known as alcohol ~" Tenten slurs, hands wobbling as she takes another sip of sake.
"I think you girls had enough." Kurenai gently takes their bowls.
"No fair."
"Don't ruin this for us." Ino pouted, pointing at Taiju and Tayuya. "Why don't you stop them from drinking too?"
Turning to them, Taiju and Tayuya were sitting quite close to each other, their shoulders touching as she was jabbing her finger into his chest.
"Y-Yourr a fool...you know th-that." She manages to say.
Taiju's drunken self just grinned, "How so Tayuuuu~" He teases.
"I told you to stop calling me that." She growls, hands balling his shirt, bringing his fave closer to hers.
"Oh–my?" Anko gasps, covering her mouth at the intimate display.
Yugao's eyes widened for a second.
Hana was lost for words.
Kurenai's breath hitches, pinching her thigh to make sure this isn't an illusion.
"Tayuya...what are you doing?" Kin mutters, eyes in disbelief at her teammate's actions.
Tayuya looked at her, eyes calm, a smile curving her lips. "There's no use in hiding it~"
"What do you—hmmm." His lips crash with Tayuya's, the redhead's fingers curling his hair as she keeps them close. Her tongue slips into his mouth, tangling with his tongue as they exchange saliva and the aftertaste of sake.
"Mhmmm." She moans into his mouth, completely forgetting the other occupants in the restaurant.
Taiju moves his hands to her waist, pulling her onto his lap. The chair shifted under the new weight, her legs trapping his own, her need for contact increasing.
"Great Kami..." Tenten blushes, unable to avert her eyes from the scene.
Hinata fainted into Kurenai's arms.
"Hinata!" Her sensei calls out, glaring at the two for such a shameless act.
Yugao stood up, approaching them, "Guys! This is not –"
"Huuk." Tayuya gagged, stopping the kiss as she froze in fear.
"Oh, no." Taiju panics, instincts kicking in.
"Tayuya don't."
She looked him dead in his eyes, "Forgive me."
Poof!
Smoke engulfs where they sat, in their place is a log.
"Oh–Kami that was gold." Hana burst into laughter, and Ino and Tenten joined in on it.
Kurenai chuckles, smoothing Hinata's hair as the girl is still out. "At least you didn't see that."
Yugao and Anko looked at each other as the laughter slipped out.
"This is beyond my job description. " The chef rubbed his head.
[Taiju's apartment]
A cozy apartment just by the middle-class district, Taiju's home is minimalistic with bones, just essentials, and the only show of his personality is the katana stand holders on his wall.
In his bathroom, Tayuya sat on her knees, puking into the toilet.
"Blargh..." She empties her stomach.
Taiju sat next to her, holding her hair.
"Just let it all out." He comforts.
"F*ck you."
Taiju bit his lip, holding back a chuckle.
"Don't be embarrassed, the last time we got drunk..."
"I know what happened." She snaps, blush flaring. "...Thanks..." She whispers.
"It's a pleasure. " He winks.
She rolls her eyes at him, "Can you make me tea?"
"Of course." He wraps her hair with her bandana.
He stood up, walking to the bathroom door, just as his about to leave, he turned to her,
"Love you, Tayuya. "
"Mxm." She looks away.
"Love you."
"Softie. "
"GO MAKE THE F*CKING TEA!" She snaps at him.
Click.
[End of chapter]